St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
96%
Capacity
1,202
Pupils
1.7x
Demand
About St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield is a state-funded Roman Catholic secondary school serving the Wigan community, welcoming children from age 11 to 16. The school has 1,202 pupils on roll and is near full capacity (96% of 1,250 places).
Ofsted has rated St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield "Good", the school is led by headteacher Mark Dumican, it falls under Wigan local authority.
In terms of academic performance, its Progress 8 score of +0.16 is above the national average. Additionally, Attainment 8 is solid at 51.5. Additionally, ranked 1176th out of 3,141 schools in England. Additionally, 1st out of 19 in Wigan.
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield is a popular choice with families — it received 387 applications for 227 places, making it 1.7x oversubscribed. Of these, 223 were first-preference applications.
St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield parent feedback on Ofsted Parent View is very positive, with 90% recommending the school (29 responses).
For children with special educational needs, the school offers support across 6 areas, including Specific Learning Difficulty (Dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulty, Social, Emotional & Mental Health and 3 more. Parents should contact the school's SENCO for specific details about provision.
On-site facilities at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield include Science Labs, Playing Fields, Sports Hall, Sixth Form Centre, Gymnasium, Dining Hall, Theatre, Astro Turf, Chapel.
Beyond the classroom, pupils can take part in sports such as Netball, Martial Arts, Athletics, Rounders and 3 more, as well as clubs including Science Club, Newspaper, Chess, Drama and 2 more.
The proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals is 13.2%, which is below the national average for secondary schools in England.
For families exploring secondary schools in Wigan, St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield is one of the options available in the North West region. Use Classpot to compare it side-by-side with nearby alternatives and find the best fit for your child.
Key Details
| School Type | Secondary (State) |
| Age Range | 11 to 16 years |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Religious Character | Roman Catholic |
| Address | Rookery Avenue, Wigan, Wigan, WN4 9PF |
| Headteacher | Mark Dumican |
| Local Authority | Wigan |
| Number of Pupils | 1,202 |
| Free School Meals (FSM) | 13.2% |
| School Capacity | 1,202 / 1,250 (96% full) |
Ofsted Inspection Breakdown
17 Nov 2021Overall Effectiveness
Good
Latest inspection (17 Nov 2021): School remains Good
Source: Ofsted, 17 Feb 2012. Ratings: 1=Outstanding, 2=Good, 3=Requires Improvement, 4=Inadequate.
League Table Position
Based on Progress 8 (+0.16)
1176th of 3,141
Nationally
122nd of 445
In North West
1st of 19
In Wigan
Source: Classpot analysis of DfE Progress 8 data
GCSE Results
2023/24Progress 8 Score
Students make more progress than similar students nationally
Attainment 8 (vs national avg)
Students achieve significantly higher grades than the national average
Source: Department for Education, 2023/24. Progress 8 compares to students with similar Key Stage 2 results.
Ofsted Parent View
29 responsesWould Recommend This School
Source: Ofsted Parent View (GOV.UK statistical data), Sep – Sep 2025
SEND Support
Source: Department for Education, 2024/25. Support availability based on current student population.
Facilities
9Facilities may vary. Contact the school for current availability.
Extracurriculars
13Sports
Clubs & Activities
Activities may vary by term. Contact the school for current offerings.
Admissions
2025/26Oversubscribed227
387
Good Demand
Popular school with more applications than places
223 families put this school as their 1st choice (58% of all applications)
Source: Department for Education, 2025/26. Data reflects national offer day applications and offers.
Frequently Asked Questions About St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield
Helpful Guides for Parents
Ofsted Ratings Explained
Understand the 4 Ofsted ratings and what they mean
Understanding Progress 8
Learn how Progress 8 measures pupil progress from primary to GCSE
SEN & EHCP: A Parent's Guide
Understanding SEN support, EHC Plans and your legal rights
Understanding School Catchment Areas
How admission distances work and tips for maximising your choices
Contact Information
Rookery Avenue, Wigan
Wigan, WN4 9PF
Journey to School
Journey times are estimates based on current conditions. Actual times may vary.
Opening Hours
Parent Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience at St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School, Ashton-in-Makerfield!
Write a Review